K-pop supernova BTS on March 21 presents its concert "BTS Comeback Live: Arirang" at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong

The global boom in K-pop has propelled Korean as the No. 3 language on the U.S. music market, the world's largest.

Luminate, a Los Angeles-based music and entertainment data analytics company, on June 23 said Korean-language content in the first quarter accounted for 1.1% of the American streaming music market, behind English (86%) and Spanish (9.5%).

Korean's share rose from about 0.7% in 2023 and 2024 to 1.1% last year. It remained there through the first quarter of this year.

Luminate explained, "In Q1 2026, Korean-language streaming held strong at a 1.1% market share, fueled by K-pop sensations including BTS."

dusrud21@korea.kr